[Jackypam]

It's the first year that the blackcurrants have fruited.  They are plump and black, but hard and very sharp.  Are they ready or do they go soft and a bit sweeter?  Can't look that one up in a book!


Edited to correct "black currents" for search purposes.

[bob_fox]

You can pick them now, but you will have to cook them with sugar, make jam etc. If you leave them on longer, they do get sweeter and softer, but I still think they are a bit tart for my taste even then.

[Jackypam]

Thanks bob, perhaps I'll leave them a few days then.

[Beetroot queen]

Ours never go sweet enough to eat direct from the bush but i jam, jelly ours so it doesnt matter. Ours are just turning now so it will probably be this weekend for the 9 hour mass pick. 

[DD.]

Never eaten blackcurrants direct.

As BQ alludes to, they're always cooked, jams, jellies, pies etc..

Don't think I could sit down with a dish full of fresh ones, I'd look like a bulldog chewing a wasp. 

[Beetroot queen]

Never eaten blackcurrants direct.

As BQ alludes to, they're always cooked, jams, jellies, pies etc..

Don't think I could sit down with a dish full of fresh ones, I'd look like a bulldog chewing a wasp. 

You'd be surprised what people eat when pregnant 

[DD.]

No I wouldn't!

[surbie100]

Mine are beautiful straight from the bush. I eat them by the handful.

I grew up eating them as is - so these posts are a surprise! Once the berries are dull, not shiny, they are over-ripe and will start losing flavour.

[Jackypam]

I will pick them now, but I don't think it will take nine hours... Nine minutes maybe!

[Beetroot queen]

I will pick them now, but I don't think it will take nine hours... Nine minutes maybe!

I am going to try with a fork this year, last year it took forever. 

[LilacSandy]

I pick mine in stages, taking the big juicy ones first leaving room for the next lot to swell.  I love them straight from the bush, in pies and made into jam.

[Beetroot queen]

Its obviously the men that cant cope with the tartness. DD the challenge is on a whole bowl with a smile on your face 

[Growster...]

Mrs Growster and I have just started on our black currants, and find they're best with just a few popped in a bowl of alpine straws, (or bought ones), with some rasps dotted around as well...

Plenty of ice cream and Bob's your Auntie!

[Sparkyrog]

The best tool for picking blackcurrants is a fork